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Actually this is a tough one.
I think the answer has more to do with your lifestyle needs than processing power as such (even though that is obviously an important consideration).
Personally, I would not buy a new MBP right now. With lightpeak/thunderbolt being rolled in even increasing adoption acorss macs, not to mention new processors coming from Intel, which apparently will see their debut with MBP's, it's not a good idea to buy one anytime within the next 6 months.
Also, it's looking as if on the next generation of MBP's, the internal superdrive will be dumped in favor of a second HDD option (and using the external drive/burner like with the Air).
So for the same reasons, I would not get another used MBP.
in terms of just processing and hard drive space, MBP's are the worst value product that apple make - you're paying a premium for good processing in a small and sexy form.
My advice, if you're going to buy right now, would be to get a top spec imac - either go 24" and get a nice second screen, or go one x 27" imac - either of those options will come to a max of $2200, then spend the rest on an SSD and whack it in there.
You could always go the refurbished route:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/G...mco=MjEwNTY5Njc
A mate of mine just got the 27" mid spec and the things just flies - the screen is out of this fucking world too.
The reason for me thinking this is that, from what I've gathered from your post, you need something powerful and that will last a long while at the studio, and something to take with you that you can use on the road.TBH, your 2009 MBP should be enough processing power....
......Your main problem seems to disk space, but honestly with even the excellent G-raid drives (just got a G-raid mini really cheap and it's the best drive I've ever bought) dropping in price, you should get your data organised.
Here's what I'd do:
Get a top spec imac (either 24" or 27" to taste) and then a bunch of external drives (Just like hookers and drugs, don't go cheap on these). Think Lacie or G-raid only.
Then max out the ram in your 2009 MBP and install two drives - either get 2 x 1tb internal HDD or one SSD for system and 1 x 1tb HDD for everything else. That would actually give you a serious performance boost.
Then with the left over money, get a rugged external (like the lacie rubber coated one - they're pretty damn tough) to transport projects between the MBP and the Imac. Finally, start using logic, so when you're back at the studio you can use the MBP as a logic node to further boost the power of the imac.
The reason I'm saying this:
1, Your MBP still has plenty of life and processing power to give - I reckon you need to do a ground up format, and do something about the internal drives, but that will literally give it a new lease of life.
2, The Imac currently represents one of the best value products available on the market (all things considered; processing power, screen, accessories, connectivity, etc) and with a budget of $2500 you can get a top spec imac, your MBP sorted and bunch of second drives, meaning you've got a nice mobile setup, and a seriously nice studio setup.
Hope that helps!
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